The British public are divided over whether Prince Charles should be the next head of the Commonwealth, a Sky Data poll reveals.

Forty-four per cent of Britons think the Prince of Wales should take over from the Queen in the position, while 32% think it should instead rotate between representatives from other Commonwealth countries, 10% said neither and 14% answered "don't know".

She told the leaders: "It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations - and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales will carry on the important work started by my father in 1949."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested the Commonwealth should choose its president on a rotational basis.

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The Queen has been head of the Commonwealth since coming to the throne in 1952, but the position is not automatically held by the British monarch.

Commonwealth leaders will meet behind closed doors at Windsor Castle to discuss whether the Prince of Wales should succeed his mother.

A decision on the future of the symbolic role is expected from the leaders on Friday.

The organisation's outgoing chair-in-office, Maltese PM Joseph Muscat, who handed the reins to Theresa May, appeared to take Charles' role for granted.

He said: "We are certain that, when he will be called upon to do so, he will provide solid and passionate leadership for our Commonwealth."

Mrs May has given her backing to the heir to the throne, and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau agreed too, saying: "I very much agree with the wishes of Her Majesty that the Prince of Wales be the next head of the Commonwealth."

As well as the next head of the Commonwealth, leaders of the nations discussed topics including cybersecurity, a blue charter on ocean conservation and trade.

The Commonwealth is likely to become increasingly important in terms of trade opportunities for Britain after it leaves the European Union next March.

In an unusually direct move the Queen referenced trade in her speech to leaders, highlighting the importance of Commonwealth countries' co-operation.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,030 Sky customers online by SMS on 19 April 2018. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. Click here for full data.